Apparatus and method for forming container end closures



May 14, 1968 E. c. F'ELLATON APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING CONTAINER END CLOSURES 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 5, 1966 UVVE/VTUR z?- ATTORNEYS N m A u ma 0 w E m E May 14, 1968 E. c. PELLATON APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING CONTAINER END CLOSURES '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 53, 1966 vii 4,!

May 14, 1968 E. c. PELLATON 3,382,773

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING CONTAINER END CLOSURES Filed April .5, 1966 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 M/VENTOI? ERNEST 6. FELL/1T0 ATTORNEYS y 4, 1968 E. c. PELLATON 3,382,773

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING CONTAINER END CLOSURES 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 5, 1966 My W IVVE/VTOI'? ERNEST C- PELLATO/V 'ATTORIVEYS May 14, 1968 E. c. PELLATON 73 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING CONTAINER END CLOSURES Filed April 5, 1966 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 5 4 7 a 5 a 9 T w 9 5 J W T T N M W WW w I j R R R R F m m m m m m .D a a x 87 6 5 5 5 5 M x E //f, A l HIIIIY I M w 0 Q b7 wfl s 5 P K we 1 L2 A 0 7 9 F k 4 7 4 4 4 5 4 L 4 4. c c BB A DQ U K P R 0 MW 8 All? OUT- All? IN All? 00 m/ ws/v roe ERA/E87 0. PELLA ro/v 1;

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Arrow/5X5 May 14, 1968 E. c. PELLATON APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING CONTAINER END CLOSURES '7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed April 1966 w INVENTOR ERNEST GPELLATON BYJi J 56 ATTORNEYS -mw NHLN United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to an apparatus and method for forming container end closures and more particularly relates to an apparatus and method for folding and sealing panels of a tubular container together to form a leakproof end closure therefor.

BRIEF SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND The packaging of many types of liquified or granulated constituents requires a container comprising a high strength and leakproof end closure. A container of this type, particularly adapted for packaging asphalt, is disclosed in applicants US. patent application Ser. No. 364,655 for Container, filed May 4, 1964, now U.S. Patent No. 3,253,767. The formation of such an end closure requires a somewhat complex folding and sealing sequence of operation. In general, this invention provides an apparatus and method whereby such a folding and sealing sequence may be expeditiously and efficiently achieved'by a semi-skilled workman.

Conventional apparatus and methods, employed for folding and sealing the types of containers under consideration, generally comprise manual or semi-automatic operations incapable of forming a container in an expeditious and efiicient manner. In many applications a skilled workman is needed to effect the required container folding and sealing steps. In addition, such apparatus and methods oftentimes cannot be relied upon to form containers continuously which exhibit a structurally sound and leakproof end closure, regardless of the degree of the Workmans skill.

The apparatus and method of this invention substantially overcome the above, briefly described conventional problems. The apparatus, for example, comprises a first set of radially disposed and movably mounted wing members arranged to aid in precisely folding a plurality of container panels into superimposed position. A second set of radially disposed wing members may be arranged to overlie the first wing members and container panels to further aid in the precise folding and positioning functions. In addition, a sealing means comprising a hammer mechanism may be employed to secure a seal such as a grommet means to opposed edges of the folded container panels to effect a leakproof end closure. A control system is also provided to achieve the above folding and sealing steps automatically. The apparatus and method of this invention will be described fully hereinafter.

An object of this invention is to provide an apparatus and method whereby a plurality of container end panels may be expeditiously and efficiently folded into superimposed position and sealed by a semi-skilled workman.

A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus comprising at least one set of radially disposed wing members for automatically and continuously folding the flaps of a tubular container into superimposed position.

A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus and method for securing a grommet means adjacent opposed edges of folded container panels to effect a leakproof end closure.

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A further object of this invention is to provide a method for folding end panels of a tubular container by precisely and continually supporting opposite surfaces of each panel while the panel is folded into position.

Further and more specific objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the apparatus of this invention with portions thereof broken away for clarification purposes;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of two grommet elements which may be utilized to seal an end closure of a container formed by the apparatus disclosed in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3-5 disclose a tubular container as it would appear during various stages of its formation;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the apparatus of this invention with parts broken away for clarification purposes;

FIG. 7 is a partial top plan view with portions of the apparatus broken away for clearly disclosing the arrangement of outer wing members employed in the FIG. 1 apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a top view similar to FIG. 7 clearly disclosing inner wing members of the apparatus;

FIGS. 9-1301 are views disclosing the hammer mechanism employed to secure the grommet illustrated in FIG. 2 to the formed container as illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIGS. 14-18 schematically illustrate various operational stages of the apparatus disclosed in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 19 schematically illustrates a control circuit for automatically accomplishing the FIGS. 14-18 operations.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus of this invention comprises a plurality or set of first wing members 40, radially disposed about a vertically disposed central axis L (FIG. 6) of the apparatus. A set of second wing members 41 is arranged in a like manner, but radially outwardly of the first set. A plurality of similarly disposed stationary wing members 42 may be arranged between the first and second sets of wing members for purposes hereinafter explained. A hammer mechanism 43 is arranged to cooperate with a cage means 44, having a platen 45 formed thereon, for securing the two-piece grommet illus trated in FIG. 2 to form the containers end closure (FIG. 5).

Referring to FIG. 3, the corrugated container blank comprises a plurality of scorelines 18, 25, 26 and 27 arranged to induce folding of panels 28, 29 and 30 into superimposed position. Panels 28 and 29 constitute one panel for folding purposes, i.e., scoreline 26 is not broken during container formation. The container disclosed in FIGS. 3-5 is identical to the one disclosed in applicants above mentioned US. Patent No. 3,253,767.

The operation of the container forming apparatus will be explained in detail hereinafter and may be summarized as follows: The tubular blank, partially illustrated in FIG. 3, is first opened to the FIG. 4 position wherein it assumes a substantially square, cross-sectional shape. The blank is guided by stationary wing members 42 when it is inserted into the apparatus of FIG. 1, between first wing member 40 and second wing members 41. Thereafter, the operator or workman actuates the apparatus to automatically move the wing members and attending structures through a folding cycle of operation.

The movably mounted wing members cooperate with each other to fold the container end panels into superimposed position whereafter the two-piece grommet disclosed in FIG. 2 is automatically secured to the container by hammer mechanism 43. The first and second wing members then return to their FIG. 1 position to permit the operator to remove the completed container from the apparatus.

APPARATUS DESCRIPTION Folding mechanism Referring now to the more specific constructions and arrangements of the preferred apparatus disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 68, each inner wing member 46 is pivotally mounted on cage 44 by a pin a. A second pin 40b pivotally mounts 2. lug, arranged to extend downwardly from a mir-portion of inner wing member 40, to an adjustable link 46. A first actuating means 47, having a piston 47a slidably arranged therein, has its casing attached to platen 45 for purposes hereinafter explained.

A pin 46a pivotally mounts link 46 to a cylindrically shaped first plate member 48. Member 48 is attached to a piston 49a of a second actuating means 49 which in turn has its casing attached to a second plate member 56. Member 50 is in turn attached to a piston 51a of a third actuating means 51. A casing of actuator 51 is attached to a base portion 53a of the machines housing 53.

Each outer wing member 41 is pivotally mounted by a pin 41a on a lug or extension 54a of a circular ring member 54. A second pin 41b pivotally mounts one end of the wing member to an adjustable link 55. A pin 55a pivotally mounts the link to a lug or extension 5311. Lugs 53]) are radially mounted on a stationary ring member, secured to vertically arranged side walls 53d of housing 53.

A disc-shaped third plate member 56 has a first and second series of radially and vertically disposed rod members 57 and 58, respectively, suitably attached thereto at their lower ends. Plate member 56 comprises a centrally disposed aperture arranged to circumvent actuator 51. Rod 57 is attached at its upper end to platen 45 and at its mid-portion to member 50. Rod 58 is secured at its upper end to ring member 54. Above mentioned cage 44 may be deemed to comprise platen 45, members 50, 54 and 56, and rods 57 and 58, all arranged for simultaneous reciprocating movements in a vertical direction.

FIGS. 7 and 8 more clearly disclose the arrangement of the inner and outer wing members which provides that the container panels illustrated in FIG. 3 may be precisely folded into position. Each of inner wing members 40 is pivotally mounted on an axis 40a, arranged perpendicularly with respect to an imaginary line intersecting a vertically arranged longitudinal axis L of the apparatus. These wing members are shaped to substantially conform to panel 28 of the blank. During folding, these members bear against the panel 28 so that scores 25 and 27 are broken in a precise manner.

When the folding has progressed to a point wherein panels 29 and 30 are folded under panels 28, the inner wing members drop rapidly to a substantially horizontally disposed position, as hereinafter explained, so that they will not interlock with the formed inner gusset. In this position, partially illustrated in FIG. 6, the inner wing members also form a platform which aids to flatten the inner gusset when it is fully formed.

Each of the outer wing members is mounted to pivot about an axis 41b so that its volume of rotation or gyration is positioned at an acute angle of 22 /2 relative to axis L of the apparatus. Otherwise stated, pivot axis 41b of the outer wing member is arranged at an angle a relative to pivot axis 41a of an adjacent inner wing member. This angle may be within the range of from 15 to 45, depending upon the number of side panels employed on the formed multi-sided container. In this application, angle a constitutes approximately 22 /2 for the formed octagonally shaped container. A twelve-sided container would comprise an angle a of approximately 15 whereas a four-sided container would comprise an angle of approximately 45.

Each outer wing member is arranged so that when it is disposed vertically (FIGS. 1 and 15 the edge thereof which if extended would substantially intersect axis L will bear between panels 23 and 29 adjacent score line 26. Due to the arrangement of angle a, this wing member will slide across panel 29 as folding progresses and will eventually be positioned along score line 27 when it is moved fully downwardly (FIGS. 6 and 7). It should be noted that a vertically arranged flange portion is for-med on top of the outer wing member, adjacent said edge and is adapted to bear against panel 30 so that this panel will effect a half fold (wherein score 26 is broken to fold panels 20 and 30 into superimposed relationship) rather than the desired full fold position.

It should be understood from the above description that applicant has taught an arrangement of wing members which may be utilized to achieve the desired folding sequence. However, it should be further understood that such teachings, as well as others herein presented, could be readily followed by one skilled in the art to fold the container panels in a somewhat different manner. For example, the wing members could be suitably movably mounted to slide rather than to pivot to achieve such folding. Also, for example, one skilled in the art could follow the teachings herein and suitably rearrange the apparatus to employ only outer wing members 41 for folding purposes, i.e., dispense with the use of inner wing members 40. In this connection, vertical, horizontal and like relative terms are herein used to convey a clear understanding of this invention but are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

Hammer mechanism Reference is now made to FIGS. 9-13, disclosing the specific constructions and arrangements of the sealing means comprising hammer mechanism 43 utilized to attach the seal or two-piece grommet illustrated in FIG. 2 to edges of the container panels to form the FIG. 5 end closure. A split bracket member 60 is suitably attached to stationary side wall 53:! of the apparatus and pivotally mounts a hammer unit comprising a bifurcated hammer arm 61 thereon by a pin 61a. Arm 61 is suitably attached to a hammer or weight 62 of predetermined mass, disclosed in its raised and latched position in FIG. 9.

A leaf spring means 63 is suitably attached to stationary bracket 60 (FIG. 11) and arranged to urge weight 62 (twelve pounds, for example) in a clockwise direction about pivot pin 61a, towards platen 45. A notched latch member 64 is pivotally mounted on an extension 60a of the bracket by pin 60b and arranged to engage lug 62a formed on the hammer to hold the hammer in its raised position. An adjustable link 65 is pivotally mounted at its upper end to latch member 64 by pin 65a and at its lower end to a lever 66 by pin 65]).

Lever 66 is pivotally mounted on bracket 60 by pin 66a and has an adjustable bolt 66b threadably mounted therein. A tension spring 660 is attached at one end to lever 66 and at its other end to housing 53 (not shown) to pivot link 66 in a counter-clockwise direction about pin 66a to urge latch member 64 into engagement with lug 62a. It can be further seen that clockwise movement of lever 66 about pivot pin 66a will cause link 65 to move downwardly in FIG. 9 to unlatch member 64 from lug 62a of hammer 62.

FIGS. 1113 disclose hammer 62 as it would appear in its unlatched position, just prior to the time the grommet is secured to the containers closure panels. A hydraulic actuator 67 is arranged to extend the rod end of piston 67a fully upwardly during this mode of machine operation. An abutment member 67b, suitably attached to piston 67a, is arranged to have a lug portion thereof bear against bolt 66b to pivot lever 66 in the above described clockwise direction about pin 66a to unlatch the hammer.

Member 6712 has a bifurcated portion 670 arranged to extend upwardly, as more clearly disclosed in FIG. 12. A link 68 has a downward extension 68a pivotally mounted to portion 67c by pin 68b and a pin 680 (FIG. 11) pivotally mounts the other end of link 68 to stationary bracket 60. A pin 68d pivotally mounts a mid-portion of link 68 to an adjustable link 69 which is in turn pivotally mounted by pin 69a to a bifurcated compression arm 70 having a compression unit 71 suitably attached to the other end thereof.

As more clearly disclosed in FIGS. 11 and 13 when hammer 62 is unlatched it moves downwardly to apply a force to compression unit 71 to secure the above-mentioned grommet to the containers end closure panels. Only one-half of the cross-sectional grommet and panels are shown for clarification purposes in FIG. 13. The compression unit comprises a compression head 71a secured to a downwardly extending and reciprocally mounted shaft 71b. The shaft is secured to a cup-shaped compression member 710, arranged to overlie head 37 of grommet element 36. A plate 71d is secured to the end of arm 70 and supports the compression units elements.

The compression unit further comprises a disc-shaped member 71e, mounted below extension 71d, having an upward extension bearing against a coil or compression spring 71 This compression spring also engages compression head 71a. A second coil spring 71g is arranged in a cup-shaped portion of member 712 and extends downwardly in the manner illustrated. A conventional sleeve bearing 71h is secured to member 71a and slidably mounts shaft 71b therein.

A hollow cylindrically shaped member 71i, attached to member 7112, surrounds member 710 and houses a conventional magnet means 71 arranged to be energized selectively by electrical lead 71k. The magnet is sufiiciently powerful to hold grommet element 35 in position on compression unit 71 via copper insert 71m. Eight pin members 71n and 710 are arranged in the compression unit to aid in precisely positioning element 35 thereon. Referring to FIG. 13a, pins 71n are secured to a washer 71p mounted on shaft 71b and are spring loaded by spring 71g. Pins 710 are secured to member 710 to perform a staking function on the grommet as will be hereinafter explained.

A concave die surface portion 71q, formed on member 711' and insert 71m, is arranged to overlie ring element 35 of the grommet. A disc-shaped anvil member 45a is suitably attached to platen 45 of the machine and comprises a concave die surface portion 45b arranged in juxtaposed relationship with respect to surface portion 71: in FIG. 13. Member 45a may be suitably secured to the platen by a pin member or bolt 45c. Member 45a further comprises a raised, centrally disposed and cylindrically shaped portion 450! arranged to house pin 45c and also facilitate reception of grommet element 37 thereon in the manner illustrated.

Thus it can be seen that further downward movement of the compression and hammer units in FIG. 13 will function to seal the edges of the container panels. The compression unit is moved by actuator 67 to permit juxtaposed concave surface portions 71q and 45b to first cooperate to deform the grommet and seal the centrally disposed aperture formed by edges of the illustrated paperboard panels. Thereafter, hammer 62 strikes compression head 71a to move member 71c downwardly to deform and stake (via pins 710) head portion 37 of grommet element 36.

The periphery of head portion 37 is preferably arranged at a distance x from the inner wall of member 711 to permit the top portion of the head to enlarged or flare out during deformation. As above suggested, the four non-spring loaded pins 710 are suitably arranged to stake and lock the grommet elements together to seal the end closure positively. The above explained structures which are movably mounted in the compression unit to deform the grommet will be hereinafter alternatively referred to as a compression member.

CONTROL SYSTEM FIGS. 14 and 19 schematically illustrate a typical control system comp-rising an electrical circuit 80 for automatically controlling the movements of the above described movable structures of the apparatus during container formation. The container forming functions are achieved in a sequential manner by the illustrated timeroperated micro-switches, solenoid controlled air valves and actuators 47, 49, 51 and 67. Such actuators will be hereinafter alternatively denoted by letters C, B, A and D, respectively, in order to more clearly relate them to the control system.

A standard 1l0 volt AC service power may be applied to the primary of a transformer T, via lines L and L to provide a 24 volt AC electrical power input to the illustrated bank of switches and solenoids of the control circuit. The main power switch (not shown) is operatively connected to a main air control valve Vm (FIG. 14) so that pressurized air is not supplied to the apparatus without an electrical power input. Six microswitches S 18 control one or more of the conventional solenoid controlled air valves A A B B C C D and D operating off the illustrated 24 volt square. As further illustrated, the switches are normally maintained in an open position.

Two start switches, mechanically associated with start handles 81 and 82 which are located at each side of the machine (FIG. 1), are wired in series in the volt service line. This safety arrangement assures that both hands of the operator are out of the confines of the machine before a cycle of operation is commenced. These switches, when closed, activate a motor control switch (not shown) of the illustrated conventional timer motor.

Switch S when closed by the timer motor, will function to retract actuator A by energizing the coil of the solenoid associated with valve A to open the valve whereas when switch S is closed it will function to retract actuator B by opening valve B A closing of switch S located under the machine (FIG. 16), functions to extend hammer actuator D by opening valve D Switch 8.; is arranged to be closed to extend actuator C by opening valve C and to retract actuator D- by opening valve D Switch S when closed, functions to extend actuator A by opening valve A and to extend actuator B by opening B When switch S is closed, it functions to retract actuator C by opening valve C The input to the electrical control circuit may be controlled by master switches S A silicone rectifier (not shown) may be employed to convert the 24 volt AC and the DC needed to energize electromagnet 71 0f the hammer mechanism via leads 71k (FIG. 13).

METHOD OF OPERATION The workman or operator initially grasps the flattened tubular blank illustrated in FIG. 3 and opens it to the substantially square cross-sectional configuration illustrated in FIG. 4. Such an opening function is accomplished by applying opposing pressures to juxtaposed corners of the blank located at two opposed scores 15. The operator then places the container over platen 45 and inner wing members 40 of the apparatus (FIG. 1). The apparatus is preferably tilted slightly towards the operator to facilitate such placement of the container.

Wing members 40 and 41 are held in their respective rest positions, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 14, by actuators A and B. Valve C functions to pressurize the chamber located above piston 47a to maintain piston 49a of actuator B in this position. Simultaneously therewith, actuators C and D function to hold their respective piston members in the illustrated rest positions. Inner wing members 40 are thus substantially arranged in a conically shaped plane with each wing member preferably being disposed at an angle of approximately 45 (or other desirable angle, such as 30") with respect to a horizontally disposed plane. This conical formation of the inner wing members aids in guiding the tubular container over platen or mandrel 45 and into the cylindrical container receiving chamber formed between bars 57 and 58.

The container is pushed down over the octagonally shaped platen so that the other vertically arranged scores 15 are broken to form the container into an octagonal shape. The container panels are thus arranged in a radially and substantially vertically disposed relationship about vertical axis L (FIG. 6). As illustrated in FIG. 6, adjustable collar member 57a may be positioned on bar 57 to adapt the machine for the reception of containers having different depths. The operator may then place element 36 of the grommet on anvil member 45a and element 35 over guide pins 71n, located on the compression head of the hammer mechanism. Electromagnct 71j functions to hold washer element 35 in this position.

The operator then rotates handles 81 and 82 to close switches Ss (FIGS. 14 and 19) to thereby activate the conventional timer motor. The timer functions to first trip switch S to open solenoid controlled air valve C to relieve the head end of actuator C to atmosphere. Switch S is then tripped to open valve B to extend actuator B to the upwardly disposed position illustrated in FIG. 15. Valve A is also opened to maintain actuator A in an extended position.

Piston rod 47a of actuator A is thus moved upwardly to move wing members 46 to a vertically disposed position. As previously mentioned, the inner wing members place backup pressures against inside surfaces of the container panels when outer wing members 41 are moved thereagainst to fold same. In particular, panels 28 are backed up by the inner wing members during folding.

Switch S then functions to open valve A to reverse pressurized air flow in actuator A to drive piston 51:: thereof downwardly (FIG. 16). Such movement functions to move cage 44 downwardly whereby bars 57 and 58 cause outer wing members 41 to apply folding pressures greater than the backup pressures to fold the panels inwardly toward axis L to form the gusset folds. In particular, pressure is first applied to panels 29 and 30 (FIG. 3) by edges of the outer wing members. This pressure insures proper inward folding and starts panel 30 through a 180 reverse fold as fully explained in applicants above-mentioned US. Patent No. 3,253,767.

As above suggested, the control system is suitably arranged so that the folding pressure atforded by wing members 41 is more than the resistance afforded by inner wing members 40, i.e., the additive force generated by the air pressure provided via valve A is sufliciently great to perform this function. Thus the inner wing members will be overpowered by the outer wing members to complete the folding cycle. It should be understood that the air pressures controlling the movements of the outer and inner wing members, as well as other movable elements of the apparatus, may be suitably adjusted and changed by one skilled in the art to meet various folding problems and conditions.

Switch S then functions to open valve B to move piston rod 49a of actuator B downwardly. This action removes the backup pressure aiforde'd by piston 49a to the inner wing members to permit them to drop quickly to the downward and substantially horizontally disposed position illustrated in FIG. 17. This arrangement prevents the outer wing members from becoming interlaced in the container folds and further functions to form the inner wing members into a relatively smooth and slightly concave compression platform, partially disclosed in FIG. 6.

The outer wing members continue to compress the folded container panels against the inner wing members. The pressure that was initially applied to adjacent score 26 (FIG. 3) by an edge of the outer wing member is gradually moved over to bear upon panels 28 and 29 due to the above described FIG. 8 pivot pin relationship. In particular, the backup and folding pressures are moved through volumes of gyration defined "by pivot axes 40a and 41b arranged at the above-explained acute angle relative to each other with the volumes of gyration of the backup pressures arranged substantially perpendicularly relative to vertical axis L. At this time the flat inner surfaces of the inner wing members assume the load. The folded panels are further arranged so that an opening having a diameter of approximately one inch (for one particular container) is formed to receive head 37 of grommet element 36 (FIG. 13).

As indicated in FIG. 17, downward movement of cage 4-4 functions to close switch S by means of a projection 56b, attached to plate member 56 to open valve D to apply the grommet seal to opposed edges of the folded container panels. The piston of actuator D moves upwardly to pivot and position compression head '71 over anvil 45a to squeeze the grommet elements together. The hammer is then mechanically released by latch 64 (FIG. 9) in response to further extension of actuator D in the manner above explained to stake the grommet ele ments together (FIGS. 1113 and 18). The stored up energy in leaf springs 63 function to quickly move the hammer in a clockwise direction about pivot pin 6161 upon such release. The leverage or moment arm inherently afforded by hammer arm 71 aids gravity in moving weight 62 against compression head 71a with the precise force required to pein and enlarge head 37 of grommet element 36.

The corrugated paperboard is thus held in a squeezed position between the two grommet elements. The peripheries of the grommet covers and buries itself into the folded ends of the corrugated flaps to provide a tight and leakproof end closure. The resulting sealing arrangement is more fully explained in applicants above-mentioned US. Patent No. 3,253,767. As therein explained, the grommet elements are annularly shaped (P16. 2) so that a constant spring action therebetween functions to exert a precise sealing pressure of circular shape onto the corrugated flaps.

After the end closure is completed, switch S is tripped by the timer motor to open valves C and 1);. Thus piston 47a of actuator C is moved upwardly and piston 67a of actuator D is moved downwardly to their original positions. The latter movement functions to pivot arm 70 and thus compress-ion unit 71 counter-clockwise about pivot pin 71a (FIG. 11). Such movement also moves hammer 62 in a like direction. When the hammer reaches its extreme clockwise position, spring loaded latch member 64 engages lug 62a to reset the hammer mechanism (FIG. 9).

Switch S is then tripped to open valves A and B This arrangement functions to return actuators A and B to their FIGS. 1 and 14 positions. The outer wing members are raised to their reset position to remove the aforedescribed folding pressures. The inner wing members are raised to their original, conically shaped position to again apply backup pressures against the inside surfaces of the formed panels to raise the container upwardly a suflicient amount in the direction of vertical axis L to facilitate removal thereof. A conventional flow control valve or pressure regulator (not shown) may be associated with solenoid controlled valve B of. actuator B to move platen 45 slowly upwardly so that the inner wing members do not damage the container by engaging it too suddenly.

The various structures of the machine are now positioned to repeat the afore-described method of operation.

I claims:

1. An aparatus arranged on a vertically disposed axis for folding a plurality of container panels comprising a set of first wing members movably mounted on a platen of said apparatus and radially disposed about said axis, a set of second wing members movably mounted on said apparatus and arranged radially outwardly of said first set of wing members to permit said container panels to be inserted therebetween and means for moving said first and second sets of wing members into an overlying position whereby said container panels may be folded when they are inserted therebetween.

2. The invention of claim 1 further comprising sealing means for applying a seal to opposed edges of the folded container panels retained between said first and second sets of wing members to effect a leak-proof end closure.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein each of said first wing members is pivotally mounted on an axis arranged substantially perpendicularly with respect to said vertically disposed axis and each of said second wing members is pivotally mounted on an axis arranged at an angle of from 15 to 45 relative to the pivot axis mounting an adjacent first wing member.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said means comprises actuating means for moving said first wing members relative to said second wing members.

5. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a stationary casing and wherein said means comprises a cage means mounted within said casing for reciprocating movements in the direction of said vertically disposed axis, said first and second wing members pivotally mounted on said cage means.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said cage means comprises a first set of vertically disposed bars radially arranged about said vertically disposed axis and a second set of vertically disposed bars radially arranged outwardly of said first set of bars a predetermined distance to form a cylindrically shaped chamber between said sets of bars for receiving a tubular container therein.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said means for moving said first and second sets of wing members comprises actuating means for reciprocating said cage means relative to said casing, said first wing members pivotally connected to said actuating means and to said platen and said second Wing members pivotally connected to said second set of bars and to said casing.

8. The invention of claim 2 wherein said sealing means comprises a hammer unit and a compression unit, said hammer unit comprising a hammer pivotally mounted on said apparatus and arranged to overlie an anvil portion of said platen when it is pivoted to a horizontally disposed position, said compression unit pivotally mounted on said apparatus and comprising a compression member slidably mounted therein, said compression unit arranged to be pivoted to overlie the anvil portion of said platen and further arranged to have its compression member receive a force from said hammer whereby a circularly shaped grommet may be positioned and deformed between said compression unit and the anvil portion of said platen.

9. The invention of claim 8 further comprising magnet means arranged in said compression unit for holding a metallic grommet element thereon.

10. The invention of claim 8 wherein said hammer unit comprises a latch means for holding said hammer unit in a raised position above said platen and means for positioning said compression unit over the anvil portion of said platen and for unlatching said hammer unit to permit said hammer to fall and apply a force to said compression unit.

11. The invention of claim 8 further comprising spring means for urging said hammer toward said compression unit.

12. In an apparatus arranged on a vertically disposed axis for folding a plurality of container panels from a substantilly vertically disposed position to a substantially horizontally disposed position, a plurality of wing members radially disposed about said axis and mounted on said apparatus to be moved from a substantially vertically disposed position to a substantially horizontally disposed position for folding said container panels, and said wing members are pivotally mounted on said apparatus and comprise a first set arranged radially inwardly of a second set and further comprising means for moving said second set into overlying relationship with respect to siad first set whereby said container panels may be folded when they are inserted therebetween.

13. The invention of claim 12 wherein each Wing member of said first set is pivotally mounted on an axis arranged substantially perpendicularly with respect to said vertically disposed axis and each wing member of said second set is pivotally mounted on an axis arranged at an angle of from 15 to 45 relative to the pivot axis mounting an adjacent wing member of said first set.

14. In an apparatus for forming container panels into an end closure, folding means for folding said panels into superimposed position and sealing means for applying a grommet seal to opposed edges of said panels, said sealing means comprising a compression means movably arranged on said apparatus to apply a sealing pressure to said grommet seal, and further comprising a hammer means, a latch means for holding said hammer means substantially vertically and control means for moving said compression means so that it is arranged substantially horizontally and for unlatching said hammer means to permit it to apply a force to a head of said compression means when it is arranged substantially horizontally.

15. The invention of claim 14 wherein said control means is further arranged for automatically moving said hammer means and compression means substantially vertically after said hammer means has applied a force to the head of said compression means.

16. An apparatus for forming a container end closure, said apparatus arranged about a vertically disposed longitudinal axis and comprising a stationary housing having a base and vertically disposed side Walls, a cage mounted for reciprocal movements within said housing in the direction of said axis, said cage comprising first and second sets of vertically disposed bars, radially arranged about said axis, said sets of bars attached at lower ends thereof to a first plate member, so that said first set is arranged radially inwardly of said second set, an adjustable collar member mounted on at least one bar of said first set, a platen attached to upper ends of the bars of said first set, said platen having an anvil centrally disposed thereon, a second plate member arranged between said platen and said first plate member and attached to said first set of bars, a first actuator comprising a casing attached to the base of said housing and a piston slidably mounted therein attached to an under side of said second plate member, a second actuator comprising a second casing attached to said second plate member and a second piston slidably mounted therein, a third plate member having said second piston attached to an underside thereof, a third actuator comprising a third casing attached to an under side of said platen and a third piston slidably mounted therein, a set of first wing members radially disposed about said axis and arranged to terminate adjacent said axis when they are disposed substantially horizontally, each of said first wing members pivotally mounted adjacent the periphery of said platen, a first link arranged to extend through said platen and pivotally mounted to an under side of each of said first wing members and to said third plate member, a set of second wing members radially disposed about said axis and arranged to overlie said first wing members when they are disposed substantially horizontally, each of said second wing members pivotally mounted on extensions attached to said second set of bars, a second link pivotally mounted to each of said second wing members and to the side walls of said housing, and a hammer mechanism comprising a fourth actuator having a fourth casing pivotally mounted at a bottom portion of the side walls of said housing and a fourth piston slidably mounted in said fourth cylinder, a bracket member attached to the side wall of said housing, a first lever pivotally mounted on said bracket member and to said fourth piston, and a compression arm pivotally mounted on said bracket member, a third link pivotally mounted to said arm and said first lever and arranged to pivot a compression unit attached to said arm into overlying relationship with respect to the anvil of said platen when said fourth piston is extended vertically upwardly, said compression unit comprising a compression head reciprocally mounted in said unit terminating in a compression mem' 1 ll ber arranged to overlie a raised portion centrally disposed on said anvil, a plurality of radially disposed pin members arranged on said compression member, a cylindrically shaped member reciprocally mounted in said compression unit and arranged to surround said compression member, magnet means arranged in said cylindrically shaped member, said cylindrically shaped member and said anvil having juxtaposed concave surface portions formed thereon arranged to deform a grommet therebetween, a hammer arm pivotally mounted on said bracket member, a hammer attached to said hammer arm and arranged to impart a force onto said compression head when said hammer arm is pivoted to overlie said platen, a lug arranged on said hammer, a latch member pivotally mounted to engage said lug to hold said hammer in a raised position, first spring means attached to said bracket member and arranged to urge said Weight towards said platen when said Weight is held in its raised position, a fourth link pivotally mounted to said latch member and to a second lever pivotally mounted on said bracket member and to said fourth link, second spring-means attached to said second lever and to said housing to urge said latch member into engagement with said lug, an abutment member attached to said fourth piston and arranged to engage said second lever to disengage said latch member from said lug when said fourth piston is extended vertically upwardly.

17. A method for forming an end closure on a multisided tubular container having a plurality of panels arranged at one end thereof defined by a plurality of score lines comprising the steps of arranging said panels in a radially and substantially vertically disposed relationship about a vertical axis, and applying folding pressures to outside surfaces of said panels to fold them towards said axis to a substantially horizontally disposed position, and further comprising the step of placing a backup pressure 12 less than said folding pressure to inside surfaces of said panels.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of applying a seal to opposed edges of said folded panels to form a leak-proof end closure.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein said backup and folding pressures are moved through volumes of gyration defined by pivot axes arranged at an angle of from 15 to 45 relative to each other.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the volumes of gyration of said backup pressure are arranged substantially perpendicularly relative to said vertical axis.

21. The method of claim 18 comprising the further step of removing said folding pressures and applying said backup pressures against the inside surfaces of said panels after said end closure is formed to raise said container upwardly in the direction of said vertical axis.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,156,391 10/1915 Conard 9336.8 X 1,667,498 4/1928 Simmons 9336.8 2,114,983 4/1938- Levin 22715 2,445,761 7/1948 Castle 227-15 2,737,332 3/1956 Amberg 93-36.8 X

FOREIGN PATENTS 107,583 5/ 1939 Australia.

671,094 1/ 1939 Germany.

932,840 7/ 1963 Great Britain.

941,850 11/1963 Great Britain.

WILLIAM W. DYER, 13., Primary Examiner.

WAYNE A. MORSE, JR., Assistant Examiner. 

